Iraq has given pro-Iranian groups until September 30 to disarm
The Iraqi government has set a deadline for the disarmament of pro-Iranian armed groups operating within the country. They must lay down their arms by September 30—the date on which the U.S.-led international coalition’s mission is scheduled to end.
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Abudi announced this during a weekly press conference. The decision is seen as part of Baghdad’s efforts to tighten control over armed groups in the country.
“All armed groups have been informed of the specific date marking the conclusion of this matter—disarmament. That date is September 30, and it also coincides with the end of the international coalition’s presence,” he said.
According to the spokesperson, after this deadline, any weapons remaining outside state control will face legal consequences.
“After this date, all weapons outside the state system will be subject to legal action,” al-Abudi added.
It is worth noting that there are several powerful groups operating in Iraq that are supported by Tehran. In recent years, they have significantly increased their political and financial influence. Some of these groups emerged after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and they assumed an even greater role during the war against ISIS beginning in 2014.
These groups have long demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq as part of the international coalition against extremists. They have repeatedly attacked bases housing U.S. forces.
During the war in the Middle East, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq also acted in support of Tehran. According to the data cited in the text, they have attacked U.S. facilities in Iraq more than 600 times and have also struck targets in the Persian Gulf countries.
In response, Washington itself carried out strikes against these groups. In addition, the U.S. temporarily withheld remittances from Iraqi oil revenues, which are largely held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in accordance with agreements reached after the 2003 invasion.
In early May, Washington stated that it was ready to resume financial transfers to Iraq and security assistance once Baghdad took “concrete steps” regarding the armed groups. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi himself, during a meeting with European ambassadors, emphasized that the state must regain its monopoly on weapons.
“Restricting weapons to the state alone is not just a slogan, but a policy that is already being implemented,” he said, according to a statement from his office.
Al-Zaidi also noted that the government is not abandoning this course, especially given the planned completion of the coalition forces’ withdrawal by September 30.
“The government remains committed to this course, especially given that coalition forces are set to complete their withdrawal by September 30,” his media office said in a statement.
The idea of a state monopoly on weapons has also been supported by influential Iraqi politicians. At the same time, the reaction of the groups themselves varies: some have declared their readiness to cooperate and hand over their weapons to the state, while others insist that this issue cannot be discussed under pressure from the U.S.
This was reported by Al Arabiya.
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